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We are first introduced to Sharon as she arrives at the Hellfire Club during a meeting between her husband (Senator Robert Kelly) and Sebastian Shaw. It’s revealed that Sharon was a Hellfire Club servant before marrying the senator. 2/9
Eventually, C even relocated the team to a foreign country, thus making their dream and vision more clearly international. Again, however, the results were mixed due to Claremont’s representation of Australia falling back on broad stereotypes. 8/11
Additionally, Claremont lets his international team travel more and, as Grant Morrison notes, UXM used “accurate photo references and up-to-date travelogue descriptions of the exotic locales that the X-Men would visit in the course of each new headlong adventure.” 7/11
Language is iffy, but Claremont does consistently include a small smattering of foreign languages in his X-Men’s dialogue alongside C’s notorious phonetic renderings of accents. Though fodder for jokes, this does at least represent an attempt at acknowledging difference. 5/11
Nonetheless as the relationship moves forward (becoming one that would define both characters for years to come) it does so with the understanding that the attraction is mutual, but that Piotr understands its age-inappropriate nature. 10/10
Piotr’s declaration is enhanced by the context of the scene (they both believe they’re about to die). Despite Kitty’s prodding that this might be their only chance to be together sexually, Piotr will not budge. This is a categorical imperative to him. 8/10
Having a virtuous hero acknowledge that it is inappropriate to have a sexual relationship with an underage girl is an important declaration for the series given the potential for an absence of commentary on the issue to enable subtextual speculation. 7/10
Kitty states that she wishes she was older. Piotr acknowledges an understanding of the implication and answers twice – first by kissing her, and then by stating “However, little one, you are not older.” She says it doesn’t matter and he asserts “Yes, it does.” 6/10
Issue #165 takes place in the midst of the Brood Saga. Kitty is haunted by nightmares of her own horrific transformation/death and awakes in terror. Piotr comforts her and Kitty -under the most intense possible life pressures- confesses her desire and seeks to seduce Piotr. 4/10